Collared Lizard

Collared Lizard

Scientific name: Crotaphytus collaris
Common names: Collared Lizard, Eastern Collared Lizard
Adult size: Around 25–35 cm including tail
Lifespan: Around 8–12+ years

📏 Size

• Active, athletic lizard that needs plenty of floor space.
• Males are often larger and more colourful than females.

🏡 Housing

• Large, dry, well-ventilated vivarium.
• Adult minimum around 120 × 60 × 60 cm; larger is preferable.
• Use a solid, diggable substrate with rocks, cork and branches.
• Provide several hides and elevated basking areas.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking surface: 40–45°C
• Warm area: 30–35°C
• Cool end: 24–28°C
• Night: 18–22°C
• Always use thermostatically controlled heating.

💡 Lighting

• Requires strong UVB (10–12%).
• Provide bright full-spectrum lighting for around 10–12 hours daily.
• Ensure the lizard can retreat into shade.

💧 Humidity

• Keep relatively dry at around 30–40%.
• Good ventilation is essential.
• Avoid persistently damp substrate.

🦗 Food

• Primarily live insects such as crickets, locusts, roaches and appropriately sized larvae.
• Juveniles need more frequent feeding than adults.
• Dust prey with calcium and use a suitable reptile vitamin supplement.

💧 Water

• Provide access to clean water.
• A shallow dish can be offered, although many obtain much of their moisture from food.
• Lightly misting suitable surfaces occasionally can provide additional drinking opportunities.

🐍 Shedding

• Young lizards shed more frequently as they grow.
• Provide appropriate humidity and rough surfaces such as cork or branches to help remove loose skin.
• Never pull off retained shed.

🤲 Handling

• Can become tame with regular, gentle interaction.
• Fast and easily startled, so handle close to the ground.
• Never grab the tail.

❤️ Health

• Watch for poor appetite, lethargy, abnormal shedding, swollen limbs or difficulty moving.
• Correct UVB, calcium and temperatures are essential for preventing metabolic bone disease.
• Avoid obesity by controlling feeding.

🧽 Cleaning

• Spot-clean waste and uneaten insects regularly.
• Clean water dishes frequently.
• Replace contaminated substrate and thoroughly clean the enclosure as required.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Lizard Home

• Run the vivarium beforehand and check the basking and cool-end temperatures.
• Have UVB, heating, hides and suitable live food ready.
• Make sure all heat sources are securely guarded.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Collared Lizards are very active and powerful jumpers and need a spacious enclosure.
• They require strong UVB and a very hot basking area.
• Keep the enclosure dry with excellent ventilation.
• Do not house two males together.
• Allow a new lizard time to settle before introducing regular handling.